More Smoot news

well looks like hope is fading........

"Lost in the cornerback signing frenzy that has occurred over the first week of free agency is that one of the supposedly premier cover men, Fred Smoot, has gotten barely a sniff.

Now, it looks like the team that drafted him in 2001 isn't interested any more, either.

A league source tells us that the Redskins have yanked their standing offer of a contract including a $10 million signing bonus. Although some reports have suggested that a modification of the open-ended offer might be necessary due to the $9 million cap charge resulting from the trade of Laveranues Coles, we're hearing that the decision to pull the offer was driven by the posturing in which Smoot's camp engaged prior to the start of free agency.

Smoot is visiting the Vikings on Tuesday, who intentionally decided to stay away from any potentially high-priced free agents during the initial spending splurge. To date, Minnesota has signed only defensive tackle Pat Williams, to a relatively modest deal.

And if Smoot doesn't land in Minny, it's not clear whether any other teams will be interested. The Chiefs whiffed on Samari Rolle, which might put them in the mix for Smoot."

also saw on this page that the Eagles might be looking at Plax. Wouldn't that be great....Eagles get Plax, we lose Fred. We need to seriously think about the draft. I think a CB will be our biggest need if this is true.

I have a qeustion. If we can't pay 10 mill in a signing bouns to Smoot. How can we give a huge bonus to a draftee. Not to update on how rookie contracts work. Anyone willing to explain would be great.

the ninth player drafted will get near smoot money. it doesnt make sense to let a proven player leave then waste a draft pick to replace him for nearly the same money. it's better to just let gardner and McCants go now and sign smoot. besides gardner isnt that popular right now.

We need Smoot back - god trading Coles is chapping our ass.

Maybe this is a sign that we will trade down and take a CB like Justin Miller from Clemson and then get a shot at a WR like Fred Gibson, Reggie Brown, Roddy White, or Vincent Jackson in the second or third. Or maybe even go after a DE in the 2nd or 3rd.

You only need about 4 million to sign all of your rookies traditionally. Once Gardner is traded well have close to 4 mil and with some post Junec 1 cuts we'll be back udner the cap without any problems. They can make Smooty's deal work in our cap if they want. If they want...

Maybe this is a sign that we will trade down and take a CB like Justin Miller from Clemson and then get a shot at a WR like Fred Gibson, Reggie Brown, Roddy White, or Vincent Jackson in the second or third. Or maybe even go after a DE in the 2nd or 3rd.

I think trading down to take a marginal first rounder and a second rounder is a mistake when there are impact players available at your pick. You trade down when you think you can't get value with your pick. For example I would not want one of the first 3 picks in this year's draft as none of the guys are clear cut future pro bowlers. But from probably 7-12 there is a lot of value to be on the board. The players here are as good as any in the recent past. I like picking at 9 this year. I'd love to trade down to 11 AND still get a WR and a pick if possible. No lower though. The drop off after 11 or so is precipitous.

Forget Smoots-Draft PacMan or Fabian Washington-McCants is a quality wideout-the CAP is gonna be murder in 2006.

Gibbs has McCants on his shitlist though. I wouldn't bank on it.

Also - have we seen McCants on any DB better than a nickleback? I'm curious how he'd react to a starting CB.

Forget Smoots-Draft PacMan or Fabian Washington-McCants is a quality wideout-the CAP is gonna be murder in 2006.

John, welcome to the board and I hope you enjoy this site, BUT I'm gonna have to disagree w/ you when you say that McCants is a quality WR. Potential he may have, but he's not quality...at least not yet.